Nurbanu Sultan was Haseki Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and the legal wife of Sultan Selim II, as well as Valide Sultan as the mother of Sultan Murad III. She was one of the most prominent figures during the time of the Sultanate of Women. Conflicting theories describe her as of Venetian, Jewish or Greek origin. Her birth name may have been Cecilia Venier-Baffo, Rachel or Kalē Kartanou.
Nurbanu Sultan's burial procession, Ottoman miniature
Nurbanu's husband Selim
Murad III, to whom Nurbanu was a valide sultan during 1574–1583.
Atik Valide Mosque constructed by Nurbanu Sultan
Haseki Sultan was the title used for the chief consort of an Ottoman sultan. In later years, the meaning of the title changed to "imperial consort". Hurrem Sultan, principal consort and legal wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, was the first holder of this title. The title lost its exclusivity under Ibrahim I, who bestowed it upon eight women simultaneously. The title haseki sultan was used until the 17th century. After that, kadınefendi became the highest ranking title for imperial consorts, although this title was not as prestigious as haseki sultan.
Image: Haseki Huerrem Sultan Roxelane
Image: Safiye sultan l
Image: A portrait of Kösem Sultan
Image: Turhan Hatice
